figure making, ventriloquism and dummy making through the eyes of Steve Barry

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Another Murphy's Law week

It started off well. Then on Monday, I noticed a problem with my van. I took it to the shop. While voting on Tuesday, my other vehicle broke down. I waited in the freezing cold for 2 hours before AAA got there. On Wed, I left work because I was ill. (probably from waiting in the cold) and on the way home, I went into a sneezing fit and ran up on the median and had to be towed off. I have been in bed ever since with Bronchitis.

I see on http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com/ That Dan has relisted me as a figure maker. He received his likeness and did so to my request. I didn't make this figure to prove that I can. I did it as a tribute to him and Bob Albano for the amount of effort and work they put in to their websites. I have never had the desire to prove anything to anyone. I do what I do because I want to.

In his blog, he says that I should continue making pro figures. I will of course, but I never stopped. I have made many of them. I have seen some resold on Ebay, but for most part, they were made to resemble someone and aren't usually parted with.I have used everything from paper mache to wood putty and from paper clay to apoxie sculpt.

I don't make them and sell them on ebay. I sold one stage figure back in September of 2005 on ebay. I never sold another.

I think Al Stevens put it best.... "take in to consideration all the materials, tools, time and sweat that you put in to a figure. That will give you an idea of what you should charge for it.

Ebay is not a ventriloquist's site. It is a general flea market for everything you can imagine. It is a good place however to get people interested in Ventriloquism. Therefore, I give them an alternative to buying a stock Charlie, Mortimer or Howdy with fleece hair, unpainted with a cardboard body which is sold on several websites for 299 dollars.

That is the price I ask for my conversions, and believe me, I put alot more work into them than you can imagine. What I offer is the opportunity to get involved in Ventriloquism without having to spend 5oo dollars on a stage figure. (I have noticed that stage figure heads are getting alot smaller these days) I have many different customers. I have ministers doctors, lawyers, policemen, park rangers, and the whole gammet of people who use these figures to teach, express important issues and bring kids out of their shells as well as entertain.

I have alot of children also who email me and ask questions about problems they are having pronouncing certain letters, or being afraid and many other issues they encounter as they become young entertainers.

The truth is, I am happy making conversion figures. As Clinton Detweiller said in his blog, "I like to help people learn to walk" in this field. That is my place and I am happy to be part of the newbie community. I am available all the time and answer every email that is sent to me. If I can help, I will. If I can't, I will direct you to the most competent person in my opinion that will.

This doesn't mean I won't make stage figures. I make them whenever they are requested. My customers will attest to it. I have built four or five on my blog so far.

I thank you Dan for putting me back on the makers page.

and Bob, thank you for never removing me. Your faith in my abilities will never be forgotten. Your figure is on his way. They told me about three weeks. (slow boat to Taiwan)

Have a great week all. As ever, if you have any questions about ventriloquism or figure making, feel free to email me. I am here to help. my email address is gepettosworkshop@yahoo.com

Here is another stage figure I just finished for one of my customers along side a conversion figure I am working on.

1 comment:

Your figures aren't conversions....You add and change everything.Yours are more like...Figures with a figure inside.You Definitely only use them as an armature that you could easily make or remove.Love your work and it is YOUR WORK!.T

About Me

Raised in the suburbs of New York.I have been involved in figure making and ventriloquism for most of my life in one form or another. I now reside in Maryland with my wife Darlene who helps make up Gepetto's Workshop.